English Reference

Word

kicks

US/ˈkɪks/

UK/kˈɪks/

Definitions

01shoes

B2

n. an informal word for shoes, especially sneakers or trainers.

n. a colloquial, plural-only noun referring to footwear, specifically athletic shoes or sneakers.

“He just bought a fresh pair of kicks to wear to the party.”

“The collector spent months tracking down those limited-edition kicks, eventually paying double the retail price at an auction.”

Informal · Slang

Usage

Always used in the plural form when referring to footwear.

02for fun

B2

n. doing something just for enjoyment or a small thrill.

n. amusement or a source of pleasurable excitement; almost exclusively used in the phrase 'for kicks'.

“We decided to drive to the beach at midnight just for kicks.”

“They didn't expect to win the talent show; they had entered the competition purely for kicks during their summer break.”

Informal

Usage

Typically appears in the prepositional phrase 'for kicks' or 'just for kicks'.

Real-World Examples

“At the World Cup, the corner issue only rarely came up, but it always seemed slightly odd that incorrectly awarded goal kicks could not be turned into corners.”
The Guardian · 10 Aug 2026
“As the school year begins in Charleston, Phase 2 kicks in: training.”
Phys.org · 21 Aug 2026

Idioms

get one's kicks — To enjoy oneself, to have a good time.

kicks and giggles — Amusement without any serious purpose; fun.

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Common
Updated

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